Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 70

(Hendrix POV)

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. I grabbed her wrist before she could pull away. "I'm sorry," I whispered and rested my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."

She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're not a mess. You're just... confused."

"And you're not?" I shot back and tightened my grip on her wrist. "You're just as lost as I am."

We stood there, our breaths mingling, and I couldn't stop myself. I tilted her chin up and forced her to look at me. "Why does it have to be so hard?" I whispered.

"Because it's us," she replied and her voice broke. "Everything's always complicated with us."

And that's when I couldn't hold back anymore. I kissed her, soft at first, just testing the waters. But when she didn't pull away, I deepened it and poured everything I couldn't say into that kiss.

She responded and her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. My hands moved to her waist and I gripped her like she was the only thing keeping me sane.

Our kisses became more crazed as we backed up against the dusty bookshelves. I felt the heat of her body and the way her breath hitched every time my hands slid across her skin. It drove me insane. "Hendrix,” she whispered against my lips and I almost lost it right there.

"Tell me to stop," I breathed out and brushed my lips against the curve of her neck. "Tell me to stop and I will."

But she didn't. She pulled me closer and her nails dug into my back. I took that as my answer.

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, tangled together and lost in each other, until reality came crashing back and I knew we couldn't keep doing this.

I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. "Angel..."

"I know," she said faintly. "I know."

I didn't want to let her go, but I had to. We both knew we couldn't stay here forever, hiding from everything and everyone.

project," she muttered and ran a hand through her

agreed, but my heart still

knew we were far

...

(Ava's POV)

dorm room leave one by one. He said the journal would be here, that it was crucial, and I couldn't fail him

to leave and trailed behind the others, probably lost in her usual thoughts. Stupid girl. When I was sure they were all gone and far enough, I made

their dorm room and my nose wrinkled at the floral air freshener scent they sprayed everywhere. Of course, Angel and her little group would try to make this place feel

eyes at the neatness and variety of their belongings. Their beds were evenly spaced and their desks were filled with little trinkets and personal touches. Everything about this room screamed togetherness and unity-things I

Four girls shared less than 30% of the space while I took up the rest. The

a scared little rabbit. How predictable. I smirked and pulled it out. "Stupid girl," I muttered and flipped through the pages. Dr.

under my jacket. He's going

(Angel's POV)

Hande and Cylan and my legs ached while my mind wandered. All I could think about

her arms. "I swear they're just

"Ugh, don't remind me. I'm counting the minutes

the same time, like I'd just arrived. I shook off the thought as we headed back to

noticed something was off. My desk wasn't arranged the way I left it. I stood there and

you coming?" Cylan called

I muttered and brushed off the

buzzed around us. The guys weren't there yet, probably still caught up in their drills or at the gym. As I sat down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something

Hande whispered and nudged me. "She's not worth

my breakfast, but I still felt

Ava stood up and walked over like a serpent. "Angel, can we talk?" she asked, a fake smile on

we can't," Cylan cut in and rolled

as her tone dropped, "I think you'll want to hear what I have to say." She

The journal.